FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 23 2014

NJMC Unveils New West Riser Tide Gate

State-of-the-Art Structure to Help Mitigate Against Tidal Flooding in the Meadowlands Fosters Unique Partnership Between NJMC, Bergen County and PANYNJ



MOONACHIE/WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. – The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) today unveiled the new West Riser Tide Gate, a state-of-the-art structure that will help better protect residential, commercial and industrial properties in Moonachie, Carlstadt, Wood-Ridge and Teterboro, including Teterboro Airport, from daily tidal flooding. The tide gate is located along the West Riser Ditch on the border of Moonachie and Wood-Ridge.

The $1,111,800 project was partially funded by a $551,800 grant from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). The NJMC funded the remaining $560,000.  Bergen County will maintain the new tide gate. 

“The new West Riser Tide Gate will play a key role in helping to reduce the effects of tidal flooding in the Meadowlands region,” said Marcia Karrow, Executive Director of the NJMC. “The Commission would like to thank Bergen County and the Port Authority for their critical assistance in making this important project a reality.”

“I am very pleased to unveil the new West Riser Tide Gate with our partners at the NJMC and the Port Authority,”  said Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan.  “As County Executive I have stressed the importance of governmental entities working together for the good of Bergen County. This collaboration is a prime example of the benefits that shared services can bring to our residents and businesses.”

About the West Riser Tide Gate

 

The original West Riser Tide Gate was constructed in 1977 by Bergen County to prevent high tides from reaching upstream properties in Carlstadt, Moonachie, Teterboro and Wood-Ridge.  The all metal structure was in need of replacement. 

The new West Riser Tide Gate is comprised of corrosion-resistant sheet piling with four (4) 6-feet wide by 7 feet long openings with composite flap valves attached on the downstream side.  The new openings are larger than the old structure’s to allow for better flow release at low tide. 

Additionally, the new structure was built to one-foot above the 25-year flood  elevation to add additional storage capacity for storms.  A corrosion-resistant trash rack system was installed upstream to prevent debris from flowing through the openings.  Finally, a catwalk system was installed on top of the structure for maintenance access and includes four winch systems to open the gates for inspection. 

The  project was bid in July of 2013 and awarded in September 2013 to the Joint Venture of J. Fletcher Creamer & Joseph Sanzari Companies.  Site work began in February of 2014 and concluded in June 2014. 

 

Photo ID Left to right: Teterboro Mayor John P. Watt, Moonachie Mayor Dennis Vaccaro, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan, NJMC Executive Director Marcia Karrow, NJMC Commissioner James Bocchino, NJMC Acting Chairman Paul Macchia